The increasingly intense development of the national revolution, particularly the unprecedented great victories and expansion of the Soviet regime and the Red Army throughout the country, has inflicted repeated and crushing defeats upon the Kuomintang imperialists’ four encirclement campaigns in Eyuwan, Xiang-E-Xi, Northeast Jiangxi, and Xiang-E-Gan. Most notably, the victorious northern advance of the Central Soviet Area’s Red Army has prompted the Kuomintang warlords, under severe pressure from foreign imperialists, to concentrate all their forces on mounting a massive offensive against the Central Soviet Area while intensifying attacks on Northeast Jiangxi, Xiang-E-Gan, and Hexi. This is because, as the revolution gains momentum, the reactionary ruling class is throwing everything it has into a final desperate struggle; this represents a critical juncture in the decisive showdown between revolution and counterrevolution.  This class war is far more intense and grave than any previous one. It demands that we mobilize all working-class and peasant masses, arm ourselves, rapidly strengthen the Red Army, and devote every resource, every economic means, and every possible sacrifice to preparing for war and smashing the enemy’s major offensive. In achieving victory in this war, we must seize the central cities of Ji’an, Ganzhou, Fuzhou, and Nanchang, thereby securing an initial victory in Jiangxi and several neighboring provinces.  To lead the nation’s worker-peasant masses and armed organizations in utterly defeating the imperialist Kuomintang’s large-scale assault on the Central Soviet Area and its four encirclement campaigns nationwide, the Central Government hereby decrees an emergency general mobilization across all Soviet areas, all worker-peasant Red Armies, and all working-class and peasant laborers. This mobilization shall be carried out with the most vigorous and swift action, on the broadest and most thorough scale, launching a resolute offensive to ensure complete victory in this war. Accordingly, governments at all levels, all Red Army units, and all military regions are ordered to promptly and decisively implement the following urgent mobilization measures:  1. Urgently mobilize all working-class and peasant laborers, inspiring them with the highest revolutionary enthusiasm and concrete action to strive for and fight for victory in the war. To this end, governments at all levels shall conduct a full political mobilization of the worker-peasant masses throughout the Soviet areas, ensuring that every worker and peasant fully understands the significance of this war for their own future and for the crucial role it plays in the nationwide triumph of the Soviets. They should recognize the growing strength of the revolutionary forces and the counterrevolutionaries’ last-ditch efforts, thereby arousing the masses’ warlike spirit and class resolve, actively preparing for and participating in all practical tasks both at the front lines and in the rear, in order to repel the enemy’s major offensive. This is the fundamental condition for our class war’s success. Therefore:  A. All personnel of provincial Soviet governments are to immediately convene meetings at various levels—especially urban and rural representative assemblies and mass voters’ meetings—to carry out political mobilization, so that every cadre and every worker-peasant comrade comprehends the meaning of this war and is fully mobilized to participate in all wartime preparations. B. Each Red Army unit, under the direction of its respective supreme command, is to convene soldiers’ assemblies to conduct a total mobilization of all troops. C. Local armed forces, under the auspices of military regions and military departments at all levels, are to hold meetings of Red Guards, guerrilla detachments, and Young Pioneers. D. All mass organizations, pursuant to this general mobilization order, are to convene plenary meetings of their members and deliver motivational reports.

2. All Red Army units, in accordance with established directives, are to launch the most energetic and agile offensive operations, first breaking the enemy’s attacks and then, through victorious offensives, completely shattering the enemy’s major offensive, seizing central cities, and achieving an initial victory in Jiangxi. In particular, the various Red Armies nationwide must coordinate their actions closely.

3. Greatly expanding the Red Army is the primary means of strengthening the revolutionary war effort and a key prerequisite for defeating the enemy’s large-scale offensive. Governments at all levels are to mobilize, with maximum force and speed during October, the widest possible contingent of active worker-peasant elements to increase both the quantity and quality of the Red Army. They must strictly enforce Central Directive No. 15, while ensuring that the assigned quotas are exceeded by at least double. Thereafter, continuous efforts must be made to expand the Red Army, regularly replenishing the front lines and establishing permanent reserve units. Furthermore, governments at all levels are directed to mobilize and urge soldiers who have deserted or returned home to rejoin their units without delay, launching a nationwide campaign to encourage demobilized personnel to return.

4. Strictly implement Directive No. 15 by swiftly mobilizing all able-bodied men aged eighteen to forty throughout the Soviet areas to automatically join the Red Guard, each providing his own weapon—homemade rifles, cannons, and spears—and sufficient ammunition. (Similarly, Young Pioneer detachments are to be widely organized.) Units are to be formed according to prescribed organizational structures and completed before the October Revolution Day. Special emphasis should be placed on intensifying political education and combat training. Governments at all levels, military regions, and military departments are personally responsible for ensuring that the Red Guard can effectively undertake local defense duties alongside the regular Red Army, neutralize and counterattack enemy incursions, and serve as model battalions and pioneer units ready to be deployed for concentrated combat operations at any time.

5. Establish robust guerrilla units. Existing guerrilla detachments nationwide are to undergo rigorous inspections; any undesirable elements among the ranks are to be purged forthwith, and the leadership of these units is to be strengthened and replaced. Each guerrilla detachment is required to undergo a week-long rotation of political and military training within October, so that every guerrilla fighter clearly understands his missions and responsibilities. Every county shall maintain at least one highly capable guerrilla unit dedicated to penetrating nearby White areas and enemy rear zones, igniting mass struggles, expanding the Soviet areas, and serving as an armed organizer and propagandist for the Soviet regime. These units will become one of the most important forces in the revolutionary war, complementing and supporting the Red Army’s operations to contain and strike at the enemy. All serious past shortcomings in guerrilla work are to be resolutely eliminated. All counties must complete organization and reorganization within October, deploying all available resources in accordance with the plans and tasks set forth by the War Zone Committee.

6. To facilitate the destruction of the enemy and secure an initial victory in Jiangxi, it is imperative to actively develop the four border Soviet areas—particularly the northern, eastern, and northeastern sectors—as an essential precondition for winning the war and achieving that initial victory. Governments at all levels and local armed forces are to immediately mobilize efforts to develop these border areas, attract broad sections of the worker-peasant masses, and create larger contiguous Soviet zones surrounding central cities and enemy strongholds. Close ties are to be forged with Northeast Jiangxi and Hexi, and systematic work is to be undertaken to infiltrate and undermine enemy garrisons in these border regions, winning over revolutionary-minded soldiers and establishing bases in nearby central cities. Provincial and county governments are to dispatch large contingents of cadres to these new areas during October to establish Soviet power, carry out land reform, and engage in work among White areas and enemy troops. At the same time, they must deepen class struggle in these border regions to consolidate their position as outposts for further expansion.

7. Land tax, business tax, and rent must be collected without delay to generate revenue, ensuring adequate funding for the war effort, food supplies, and all military necessities. We must prepare for protracted warfare with the enemy, so that the Red Army and all worker-peasant masses are not hampered by enemy blockades or shortages of provisions. Moreover, all expenditures and food reserves must continue to be carefully economized to ensure ample preparation for war—a factor that will decisively influence the outcome.

8. Mobilize all worker-peasant masses to practice food and salt conservation, reduce wasteful consumption, and diligently cultivate coarse grains and vegetables to supply the Red Army during the war. Politically, the entire worker-peasant population of the Soviet areas should be inspired with enthusiasm for the revolutionary war and unwavering support for the Red Army. Economically, they should make comprehensive preparations and stockpile food to be readily available for lending or donating to the Red Army as needed.

9. We must resolutely eliminate enemy incursions and prevent our Soviet areas from being ravaged. Should the enemy manage to penetrate our territory, we must firmly lead the worker-peasant masses and our armed forces to strike back and annihilate the intruders, severing their supply lines and communication networks and subjecting them to round-the-clock harassment. A policy of scorched earth is to be implemented, leaving no opportunity for the enemy to remain within our borders. Local governments are to lead local armed forces and the worker-peasant masses in undertaking all preparatory measures, drawing on the experience gained from the previous three wars to achieve more effective results and greater victories.

10. The strictest red martial law is to be imposed throughout the Soviet areas, with all guard posts manned by the Red Guard. These are to be established within ten days to prevent enemy spies from infiltrating, rigorously inspecting all pedestrians and their belongings. Anyone deemed suspicious is to be handed over to government authorities for thorough investigation. Governments at all levels shall issue travel permits only after detailed examination and registration; the practice of stamping permits on the spot is hereby abolished. Non-governmental military organs are prohibited from issuing permits, and permits for leaving the Soviet areas must be issued by county or district governments. A comprehensive household census of the entire Soviet area is to be conducted immediately, with intensified scrutiny and surveillance focused on all suspected elements in urban areas. Governments at all levels are to enlist the participation and assistance of trade unions, Young Pioneer organizations, and other mass groups in this endeavor.

11. Intensify anti-counterrevolutionary work. The State Security Bureau is to issue directives to all branch offices, requiring them to meticulously plan and execute this task. Simultaneously, governments at all levels are to take stern measures against all counterrevolutionary activities. Specifically, in counties such as Shicheng, Ningdu, Guangchang, Yihuang, Ninghua, Huichang, Xunwu, Yudu, Xinfeng, and Longyan, the influence of landlord-landlord cliques is to be swiftly and thoroughly eradicated. All landlords, rich peasants, and individuals suspected of counterrevolutionary activity are to be placed under surveillance by the worker-peasant masses operating in the war zones, and those found guilty are to be detained. All counterrevolutionary factions are to be completely purged, all counterrevolutionary activities suppressed, and a more solid rear base established.  11a. Actively overhaul the transportation network to facilitate military logistics and troop movements, establishing robust supply depots. Henceforth, for any stretch of road within thirty li on either side of a supply depot, the local government shall bear responsibility for transportation and protection. The Red Guard along that route shall serve as both protector and escort. The method of transport is to be standardized under the Red Guard umbrella: one Red Guard unit comprises one weapon bearer and one pole carrier; five individuals together form a stretcher team. Thus, when engaged in combat, some carry weapons to attack the enemy while others transport stretchers and supplies to the front lines and supply depots. In this way, the entire Red Guard can quickly mobilize and respond to the urgent needs of wartime.  13. The fortifications erected by the enemy within the Soviet areas during the previous three wars, as well as the city walls, are to be demolished. All relevant governments are to mobilize large numbers of workers and peasants to complete this task throughout October.  14. During wartime, governments at all levels must resolutely lead the masses and armed forces in fighting the enemy head-on. Any official who hesitates, flees, or fails to lead the people effectively shall be disciplined in accordance with revolutionary discipline. To further enhance the leadership capabilities of all government officials in wartime, all government employees are to undergo military training. Township and village-level officials are to directly join the Red Guard and assume leadership responsibilities, while provincial and county-level officials are to unite with colleagues from various agencies and organizations to form a unified Red Guard organization, conducting regular military training to militarize all aspects of life and action. Only in this way can we more effectively strengthen local governments’ ability to lead armed forces in combat.  The situation in the war is becoming increasingly urgent. We must mobilize the worker-peasant masses of the entire Soviet area with all our might, prepare for all aspects of the war with maximum speed, make every necessary sacrifice to secure victory, and subordinate all other tasks to the war effort. On this occasion, victory will undoubtedly belong to us.  Issued by: Chairman Mao Zedong, Vice Chairmen Xiang Ying and Zhang Guotao, October 13, 1931